re: Whiskey/Bourbon/Scotch Volume III

Another Wednesday, another flight. This week it was a mystery flight and those could include anything in the whiskey world. I convinced the wife to come and we met another couple.

On first go around, I felt all were bourbons and I at least kinda liked all. With each passing round, things began to change and #3 stood out as really high quality. 4 stood out for age and sweet enough to balance out the oak. 1 and 2 both had a nice start, but both had something on the finish that was hard to describe and didn't fit in any traditional note. More like a chemical that should not be there. All of us felt this way about 1&2 but just not as deeply. My friend's wife was disgusted by 2 where my wife was just a little annoyed.
The reveal had some surprises and some "oh yeahs". I own a bottle of 3, and have tasted 1 and 2 before. I loved 1 when tasted at my friend's house and did not like 2 when it was in a blind before. I had never had anything from brand 4 but have always wanted a bottle.
1. Woodford Double Oaked. This was shocking in a way because based on one glass in the past, I thought I would always love this. The not shocking part was the finish since it's double oaked. I will now avoid
2. Old Elk Wheated. On paper, this should be a want for me. Having had it twice now, I can say it's one of the worst values in all of whiskey.
3. Blanton's. This was a shock to the whole table because both houses own at least one bottle. The single barrel nature must be the explanation, as this pour was absolutely fantastic while my bottle tastes like a lower end BT product.
4. Calumet 10. I figured that one had some age on it. I really liked it, but not enough to go out and pay for it as there's too many cheaper bottles I like as much our more.

On the way out, Blue Note Juke Joint was on the sale table at $22. I grabbed two and may go back for more. This is one that is always in my sipper category, but at $22, it will not be in my Old Fashioneds for a while.